Craft Beer Makers Need to Spend More Money!

During the past five years, the biggest supporters of Senate Bill 1714, which would have required small beer makers to -- in effect -- pay twice for their own beer, invested almost twice as much in state political contributions as those who opposed the bill, according to a new study by the National Institute on Money in State Politics.

The bill died in the Florida House but will likely be back next year.

According to the center, the two biggest supporters of the bill, Florida beer wholesalers and Louis F. Bear -- gave a total of more than $48,000 to House and Senate candidates between 2008 and 2013. The biggest opponent of the bill, Beer Industry of Florida (a trade group), gave less than $28,000.

The biggest recipients of beer money were two Republican senators, former House Speaker John Thrasher and current Senate President Don Gaetz. Both voted for the bill. Indeed, Gaetz cited his friendship with Bear as a reason for the vote.

And Bear owns a Panhandle distributorship that seems to have a particular weakness for Budweiser and Stella Artois, if its Twitter account is any judge.

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................ever since PUBLIC roman-style assasinations of emperors have been forgotten our food and beverages have become more and more mass-produced for profit - one thing that used to really rile up a crowd was tampering with their wine and cheeze - so sleezy politicians can talk their way out of providing properly for "we the people" as they are obligated to do by oath and of course this means the legislative process favors those who pay into personal gain

Florida breweries will invest more in politics next time, but the distributors have a head start. They have deeper pockets and more "friends" in high places. On the other hand, "the people" are on the side of the breweries. Votes mean more!